2008 Ram 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
155,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
Steering: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11061931 · 2018-01-10 (January 10, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING, THE TIE ROD FELL OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO FREMONT MOTOR CODY (3127 BIG HORN AVE, CODY, WY 82414), BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIE ROD HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11061931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141032 · 2018-10-17 (October 17, 2018)
THE 4X4 ACTUATOR KEPT CLICKING IN AND OUT AND DAMAGED MY TRANSFER CASE WHERE I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ONE, NOW IT'S STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. ALSO MY HEATER BLOWS COLD ON DIVER SIDE AND HOT ON PASSENGER SIDE. ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN DONE BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, SAYING I NEED TO HAVE IT SERVICED. HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS KEEP FLUCTUATING IN BRIGHT AND DEEMING.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11187461 · 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE FRONT END OF MY 2008 DODGE RAM 3500 QUAD CAB DUALLY DIESEL. I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE DEATH WOBBLE AFTER REPLACING EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END EXCEPT THE DRAG LINK STEERING LINK. I HAVE THE FACTORY "Y" TYPE AND WAS TOLD DODGE WAS REPLACING THEM WITH THE "T"STYLE. PLEASE ADVISE BEFORE I GET KILLED IN THIS THING. HIGHWAY BETWEEN 40 AND 65 I HIT A BUMP ANDTHE FRONT END STARTS JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL I COME TO AN ALMOST STOP.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11187461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323961 · 2020-05-09 (May 9, 2020)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE "DEATH WOBBLE", REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX STABILIZER/BRACE, DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS WHEN GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND YOU ENCOUNTER BUMPS, THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SLOW DOWN TO STOP THE SHAKING, THE OTHER FIXES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323961 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V739000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2016-10-13 (October 13, 2016)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger Police vehicles, 2007-2013 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2013 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2013 RAM 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a 220 amp alternator that may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator with a revised alternator, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S68.
NHTSA campaign record ↗